Core plug replacement tool



Feb. 6, 1968 EVDOK'MOFF 3,367,017

CORE PLUG REPLACEMENT TOOL Filed May 13, 1966 INVENTOR W/LL/AM J vDOK/MOFF FIG.7

United States Patent Ofiice 3,367,017 Patented Feb. 6, 1968 3,367,017 CORE PLUG REPLACEMENT TOOL William J. Evdokimotf, 152 13th St., Seal Beach, Calif. 90740 Filed May 13, 1966, Ser. No. 549,846 1 Claim. (Cl. 29-270) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCEOSURE A tool for radially expanding a core hole replacement plug of the type including a convex-concave clrcular member to seal a core hole in an engine block.

Cross-references to related applications None.

In the casting of internal combustion engine blocks, openings must be left therein to permit the removal of the sand core whereby metallic core plugs may be inserted therein at the time the engine is assembled. The core plugs are in contact with the water used in cooling the engine, and due to corrosion will ultimately fail. While replacement plugs are available, substitution thereof for old plugs must be effected by a sharp blow or application of substantial force to lock them in sealing positions in the block.

In many instances the core plug which has failed is so situated in the engine after it is installed in an automotive vehicle that there is little space available in which to work in inserting a replacement plug by striking it with a hammer, or the like. Under such circumstances it sometimes is necessary to pull the engine from the automotive vehicle in order to install the replacement plug, which is a costly and time-consuming operation, and one that can normally be performed only by a professional mechanic.

A major object of the present invention is to provide a replacement core or freeze plug and tool for use in placing the same in a sealing position in an internal combustion engine without the necessity of pulling the engine from the vehicle in which it i installed.

Another object of the invention is to supply a replacement core or freeze plug that can be installed in an internal combustion engine, in those instances where the working space available for such an operation is exceedingly limited.

A still further object of the invention is to furnish a replacement core or freeze plug of relatively simple mechanical structure which can be fabricated from standard, commercially available materials, requires no elaborate plant facilities for the production thereof, and can be easily and quickly installed by a person having but limited mechanical ability.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description thereof, and from the accompanying drawing illustrating the same, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the replacement core or freeze plug and the tool used in disposing the same in a sealing position in an internal combustion engine;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of a failed core plug in an internal combustion engine;

FIGURE 3 is a combined vertical cross-section and side elevational view of the replacement plug and tool used therewith, showing the plug disposed in a replacement position;

FIGURE 4 is the same view as that of FIGURE 3, but showing the plug after it has been permanently deformed in a sealing position.

FIGURE 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the replacement plug in a sealing position in the block of an engine;

FIGURE 6 is a front elevational view of the plug and block shown in FIGURE 5; and

FIGURE 7 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a plug mounted in direct contact with a core hole.

With continued reference to the drawing, a portion of an internal combustion engine block A is shown in FIG- URES 2 to 5 inclusive, in which a core hole 10 was initially sealed by a plug 12. The plug 12 is cup-shaped and includes a cylindrical side wall 14 that sealingly engages that surface of block A in which hole 10 is defined, as well as a web 16 that extends between the inner edges of the side wall 14. Web 16 is shown as having failed due to a crack or opening 18 that developed therein, as shown in FIG- URE 2.

Replacement plug B includes a convex-concave circular member 20 having a peripheral edge 22, a concave surface 24, and convex surface 26. A nut 28 is welded or otherwise permanently affixed to the central portion of surface 24. The diameter of plug B is such as to permit it to snugly but slidably engage the interior surface of side wall 14. Plug B is formed from a metallic material having substantial resiliency, yet is also water-resistant.

The tool C used in disposing the replacement plug B in a sealing position in block A includes an elongate handle 30 provided with a cup-shaped head 32 on one end thereof, as best seen in FIGURES l, 3 and 4. The external diameter of head 32 is predetermined to permit slidable insertion thereof within the confines of side wall 14, as illustrated in FIGURE 4. The cylindrical side wall 34 of head 32 has a stiff rigid web 36 spanning one side thereof, and also has a free circumferential edge 38 as shown. A centrally disposed opening 40 is formed in web 36 through which a stud bolt 42 can be extended to threadedly engage nut 28. A washer 44 is mounted on bolt 42 as well as a second nut 46 which are positioned adjacent to surface 36a of web 36.

In using the replacement plug B, a stud bolt 42 is threaded in nut 28, with the stud bolt supporting the plug from the tool C in the position shown in FIGURE 3. Thereafter the free edge 38 of side wall 34 is in contact with the outer peripheral portion of member 20. Plug B is then inserted Within side wall 14, and a second nut 46 rotated in a direction to draw the central portion of plug B towards the web 36. Rotation of nut 46 is continued until the plug B is so deformed that the central portion thereof is outwardly disposed relative to the peripheral edge thereof, as shown in FIGURE 4. Due to the resiliency of the material defining plug B, the circumferential edge 22 thereof will then be in pressure sealing contact with the interior surface of side wall 14.

The second nut 46 may then be loosened on bolt 42, and the bolt thereafter disengaged from nut 28. When the nut 46 is loosened on bolt 42, because of the resiliency of plug B, the circumferential portion thereof surrounding the nut 28 assumes an outwardly bowed configuration, as shown in FIGURE 5. The deformation of the plug B (FIGURES 4 and 5) is exaggerated for the purpose of clarity herein to indicate the action which takes place during placement of the plug in a sealing position in block A. The depth of side wall 34 and the thickness of first nut 28 are so chosen that sealing contact of the member 20 with side wall 14 will be achieved when the outer surface of nut 28 is brought into abutting contact with the inner surface of web 36. It will be particularly noted in FIG- URE 5 that when member 20 has been permanently deformed, a portion of surface 24 that initially was disposed inwardly from edge 22 is then positioned outwardly therefrom. The restriction imposed by side wall 14 prevents the snapping back of member 20 from the position shown in FIGURE 4 to that illustrated in FIGURE 3. A plug B, identical in structure to that of plug B, is shown mounted in direct contact with that portion of the block 3 in which a core hole 10' is formed, as shown in FIG- URE 7.

The use and operation of the invention has been described previously in detail, and need not be repeated.

Although the present invention is fully capable of achieving the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore mentioned, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment thereof and I do not mean to be limited to the details of construction herein shown and described, other than as defined in the appended claim.

I claim:

1. A tool for use in radially expanding a core hole replacement plug that includes a convex-concave circular member formed from a resilient material, in the center of the concave face of which a body having a tapped bore formed therein is secured, said tool including:

(a) a head having a cylindrical side wall that is of substantially the same external diameter as that of said circular member;

(b) a flat web that spans one end of said side wall, in

which web a centrally disposed opening is formed;

(0) a stud bolt projecting through said opening that threadedly engages said tapped bore;

(d) a washer mounted on said stud bolt positioned adjacent to the outer surface of said web; and

(e) a nut that engages the outer portion of said bolt, which nut when rotated in a first direction on said bolt, draws said body and the central portion of said member towards said nut to radially expand said circular member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,579,845 12/ 1951 McWherter 22024.5 2,996,214 8/1961 Kemble 22024.5 3,123,245 3/1964 Lumpis 220-245 3,175,727 3/ 1965 Piel 220-24.5 3,187,538 6/1965 Painter m. 721l4 20 MYRON C. KRUSE, Primary Examiner. 

